Gavels for the Speaker

Date

1943-09-14

Maker

Associated Press Wirephoto

Dimensions

8 1/8 x 11 5/8 in. (20.6 x 29.5 cm)

Accession Number

2007.111.003

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

Gus Cook, (left) an engineer at the U.S. Capitol, hands over an armload of gavels to Speaker Sam Rayburn in anticipation of the House’s return from its 1943 summer recess. Rayburn was elected to the Speakership after the untimely death of William B. Bankhead and served in the position for 17 years—the longest serving Speaker in House history.